King County, WA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max encroachment
- 2 feet from right-of-way line
- Violation
- Misdemeanor
- Immediate removal
- If imminently dangerous to travel
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county roads only
Summary
Unincorporated King County caps how far a stand, box, platform or similar structure can encroach onto a county road right-of-way: no more than two feet from the right-of-way line, under K.C.C. 12.28.010.
It is unlawful for any person to build, erect, establish, operate, maintain or conduct, along and upon the right of way of any county road or highway, any platform, box, stand or any other temporary or permanent device or structure used, or to be used, for the purpose of receiving, vending or delivering any milk, milk cans, vegetables, fruits, merchandise, produce, or any other thing or commodity of any nature, provided that the encroachment upon said county road or highway for business purposes shall not exceed two feet from the right-of-way line thereof.
Full Breakdown
King County Code § 12.28.010 makes it unlawful to build, erect or maintain any platform, box, stand or other temporary or permanent structure along and upon a county road or highway right-of-way for receiving, vending or delivering goods, unless the encroachment stays within two feet of the right-of-way line. Section 12.28.030 backs this up: any structure or thing on or near a county road right-of-way that endangers or obstructs travel is declared a public nuisance, and the county road engineer may act to abate it, including immediate removal if it is judged imminently dangerous. This is unincorporated-county law only, it does not reach Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton or the county's other incorporated cities, which enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Violating K.C.C. Chapter 12.28 is a misdemeanor under § 12.28.040. Separately, the county road engineer can declare an obstruction a public nuisance under § 12.28.030 and abate or remove it immediately if it is judged imminently dangerous to travel, without that removal counting as trespass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover sidewalks in Seattle or other cities?
Can the county remove an obstruction without a hearing first?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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